Great Summer Events
Wednesday, May 27th 2009
5/27 - 5/30
877-CHICAGO
Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St, Chicago
5/27 - 5/31
847-263-7500
Gurnee Mills Parking Lot, Gurnee
5/28 - 5/31
773-728-3890
Lincoln Square, 4700 N. Lincoln Ave
5/30
847-850-2133
1072 Ivy Hall Lane, Buffalo Grove
5/30 - 5/31
847-726-8669
Robert York Road & Jewett Park Drive, Deerfield
5/30 - 5/31
773-868-3010
3200 N. Sheffield Avenue, Chicago
5/30 - 5/31
312-850-9390
2000 W. Division Street, Chicago
5/31
630-784-6100
Lies Road & Gary Ave, Carol Stream
6/03 - 8/19
847-835-5440
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
6/05 - 6/06
773-870-0395
5700 S Kimbark Ave, Chicago
6/05 - 6/07
847-391-5300
Ellinwood & Pearson Streets, Des Plaines
6/05 - 6/07
773-665-4682
Chase Park, 4701 N. Ashland, Chicago
6/06
773-907-4792
Union Park, 1501 W Randolph Street, Chicago
6/06
847-360-4740
Bowen Park, Waukegan
5/27 - 5/31
847-263-7500
Gurnee Mills Parking Lot, Gurnee
5/28 - 5/31
773-728-3890
Lincoln Square, 4700 N. Lincoln Ave
5/30
847-850-2133
1072 Ivy Hall Lane, Buffalo Grove
5/30 - 5/31
847-726-8669
Robert York Road & Jewett Park Drive, Deerfield
5/30 - 5/31
773-868-3010
3200 N. Sheffield Avenue, Chicago
5/30 - 5/31
312-850-9390
2000 W. Division Street, Chicago
5/31
630-784-6100
Lies Road & Gary Ave, Carol Stream
6/03 - 8/19
847-835-5440
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
6/05 - 6/06
773-870-0395
5700 S Kimbark Ave, Chicago
6/05 - 6/07
847-391-5300
Ellinwood & Pearson Streets, Des Plaines
6/05 - 6/07
773-665-4682
Chase Park, 4701 N. Ashland, Chicago
6/06
773-907-4792
Union Park, 1501 W Randolph Street, Chicago
6/06
847-360-4740
Bowen Park, Waukegan
 
 
6/06
773-758-9556
Oz Park, 2021 N. Burling St, Chicago
6/06 - 6/07
630-848-5000
3380 Cedar Glade Drive, Naperville
6/06 - 6/07
847-835-5440
1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe
6/06 - 6/07
312-744-3315
Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph Street, Chicago
6/06 - 6/07
773-493-3247
5700 S. Kenwood Ave, Chicago
6/06 - 6/07
312-222-3986
700 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago
6/06 - 6/07
773-934-6451
2000 N. Milwaukee, Chicago
6/07
708-688-8000
Brookfield Zoo, Ogden Avenue and 31st Street
6/09 - 7/21
847-291-2985
1810 Walters Avenue, Northbrook
6/10 - 6/24
630-879-5235
Wednesdays, Batavia Riverwalk, Batavia
6/10 - 8/15
312-742-1168
Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St, Chicago
6/11 - 8/23
312-742-4007
Spirit of Music Garden, 601 S. Michigan, Chicago
8 Interior Items That Home Buyers REALLY Notice
Wednesday, February 18th 2009
1. Buyers take special notice of light and bright homes.  Buy high intensity bulbs and be sure to clean all light shades and covers.

2. Buyers especially  notice clean homes.  Do a "spring cleaning" throughout.. no matter what the season is.  Give special attention to the following:  windows and screens, counter and appliance tops, mirrors, ovens, sinks, toilets and tub/shower areas.

3.  Buyers will always notice clean windows and blinds, freshly laundered drapes and curtains.

4. Buyers notice freshly cleaned carpets and waxed floors.  Repair or replace any damaged areas.

5. Buyers notice spacious rooms.  Arrange furniture and decorations to improve each room.  Remove unnecessary items that don't fit in.

6. Buyers notice colors that will blend with their decor and furnishings.  Consider brightening things up with a fresh coat of paint.  Think light such as off white or beige.  Such colors make a room look bigger and brighter.  There colors are most likely to go with the new buyer's furnishings.

7.  Buyers notice closet & cabinet space.  Neatly arrange everything in your closets, cabinets and other storage area such as a basement or garage. Donate, recycle or properly discard all unnessecary items.

8. Buyers pay attention to tiny details.  Fix all the "little things"... loose door knobs, leaky faucet, towel racks and clean and repair caulk areas.
Short Sale Vs Foreclosure
Wednesday, February 18th 2009

With their being so many short sale and foreclosure opportunities available, it is very common to want to know the difference between the two.

 Short Sale - This is a circumstance where the current owner/seller is having difficulty making the payments and they want to sell the home before it is foreclosed upon.  This process requires you as the buyer to make an offer to the owner/seller who will first accept the offer, then present this offer to their bank.  In nearly all of these circumstances, the bank will be taking a loss on the property and has to approve the sale.  Please keep in mind it can take up to 120 days to purchase a short sale, so be prepared to take some time.

Foreclosure - This is a situation where the bank now owns the property and you are most times making an offer directly to the bank.  The same timeline of up to 120 days applies to foreclosures. 

Please keep in mind in most of these situations you are getting an incredible price and with that goes the added responsiblity of possibly having to pay for some of the sellers costs.

As always you are welcome to call to discuss this further at 847.301.3166.

First Time Home Buyers $8,000 Tax Credit (Don't miss out Jan. 1 to Dec. 1 2009!)
Wednesday, February 18th 2009
This is great news for first time home buyers!!

As Modified in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, these are the details....
 
1. Maximum amount of credit increased to $8000
 
2. All principle residences eligible
 
3. As the buyer, you receive the credit back with your tax return for  the year. (If they were to pay $3000-they now would get $5000-or any other combination that gets them the $8000)
 
4. Full amount of credit available to individuals with adjusted gross income of no more than $75,000 ($150,000 on joint return). Phases out above those caps ($95,000 and $170,000)
 
5.  Available to first-time home buyers and buyers who have not claimed home ownership on their income taxes for the previous 3 years(and purchasers spouse)
 
6. Purchasers can still use the credit even if they use state/local bond money for their purchase
 
7. No repayment necessary for purchases made between January 1st 2009 and December 1st 2009
 
8. You must keep this home for 3 years or you will need to repay the entire credit back on the following tax return!
 
9. The program ends on December 1st, 2009
 
10. The new rules apply to purchases made after January 1st, 2009